A massive explosion has engulfed two NNPC flow stations at Cawthorne Channel 1, near the boundary between Bonny and Degema Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
The inferno, which erupted in the early hours of today, sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky, raising concerns over its impact on oil production and the surrounding communities.
A counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, shared a video of the raging fire.
This incident occurred just a few hours after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and state lawmakers amid escalating political tensions.
In the past 24 hours, Rivers State has experienced a series of alarming incidents involving its critical oil infrastructure.
On March 18, 2025, an explosion occurred on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area.
The TNP, a major conduit transporting crude oil from onshore fields to the Bonny export terminal, has a capacity of approximately 180,000 barrels per day.
Less than 12 hours after the TNP incident, another explosion was reported at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
More to come…
